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Heritage Statuary Restoration
& Conservation
Conservation of history and heritage for all to enjoy and appreciate
Significance of the Heritage Statues
Conservation of our history and heritage is a core value of the Botanic Gardens. Established in 1816 and soon to celebrate its Bicentenary, the Royal Botanic Gardens has a rich cultural history and heritage in its plantings, landscapes and sculptures.
‘Because the bulk of the Sydney Gardens landscaping … was laid out in the second half of the last (nineteenth) century, they have a distinctive Victorian character. Many of the important statues in the Gardens were also from this era and helped create the mood.’ (*Wilson, p. 10)
Statues were an important part of parks and gardens of the Victorian era… For gardens, as well as being places of beauty and quiet contemplation, are places for walking and talking - about gardens, or philosophy, or love, or art, or office politics… or even gossip. And in this respect the statues may act as beacons along the way - as talking-points in themselves, or as points of geographic recognition – and triggers of associations. And given that some of our statues have been standing in the one place for more than 100 years, they have been visited by generations, as focal points of learning, and happy memories.' (*Wilson, p. 85)
Sadly much of this statuary has been damaged and is ‘in the graveyard’. To return this heritage for public display and to enrich the experience for the four million visitors each year, it is necessary to restore these pieces. It is equally important to maintain and conserve the major bronze sculptures in the Gardens and the Domain for the enjoyment and cultural benefit of future generations.
Restoration of heritage is a cultural obligation as well as part of our ethos of conservation and our commitment to excellence. The Botanic Gardens Foundation must fund such heritage restoration which is not covered by Government funding and other revenue streams that maintain day to day business. The Botanic Gardens Trust plays a key role in sustaining the environment through maintaining plant conservation and diversity.
Key Features
The items listed for restoration are marble statues from Italy - Spring, Summer, La Ballerina, The Bather, Apollino, female with lyre and Discobolus - and 5 marble urns. Two sphinx will also be restored for museum display. Conservation work is due on major bronze statuary in situ in the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain - Mare and Foal, Levy Fountain, Governor Phillip Statue, Huntsman and Dogs and Robbie Burns.
Users and Viewers
All visitors to the Royal Botanic Gardens - some 4 million per annum.
Benefactors are valued and recognised
Benefactors will be recognised on signage within the Botanic Gardens, in the Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation Fellowship listing and publications, Trust website, annual report and other documentation.
Suitable sources of funding: individual benefactor or group of benefactors.
Philanthropy
We are seeking $330,000 - $10,000 each from 33 individual benefactors.
* Wilson, E. (1992), The Wishing Tree, Kangaroo Press, Sydney
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